Osteoarthritis Treatment: Medicine

There are a variety of medicines available to treat the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis. You may have to try different medicines before you find the one that works best for you, with the least number of side effects.

• Osteoarthritis and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs)
• Osteoarthritis and Cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2 Inhibitors
• Osteoarthritis and Opioids
• Osteoarthritis and Antidepressants
• Osteoarthritis and Acetaminophen
• Osteoarthritis and Capsaicin Cream
• Osteoarthritis and Surgical Interventions
• Osteoarthritis and Injections
• Osteoarthritis and Electromagnetic Field Therapy
• Talking to Your Doctor About Osteoarthritis

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help decrease inflammation, swelling, and joint pain which are the major symptoms of osteoarthritis. Many NSAIDs are available over-the-counter. You may...

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs).

COX-2 inhibitors work in a way similar to NSAIDs, helping to decrease inflammation, swelling, and joint pain. In addition, they have the benefit of causing less stomach irritation. In particular,...

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Cyclooxygenase-2 or COX-2 Inhibitors.

Opioids describes a category of drugs that work by acting on the central nervous system to relieve pain. Opioids can be very effective but is known to possibly cause dependence.

Commonly prescribed...

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Opioids.

Antidepressants may also be prescribed for chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Cymbalta, or duloxetine, is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant for osteoarthritis.

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Antidepressants.

Acetaminophen, the common brand name for which is Tylenol, can be helpful in relieving some of the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Acetaminophen should be considered the first-line drug...

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Acetaminophen.

Capsaicin Cream, the common brand name for which is Zostrix, is a cream is a rubbed on the skin of an affected joint to relieve the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis.

Capsaicin cream is made...

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Capsaicin Cream.

Surgical procedures are usually reserved for patients who have noted no improvement with medications or procedures.

Arthroscopy, Osteotomy, Arthroplasty, and Arthrodesis are the main surgical...

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Surgical Interventions.

In some cases, the joint can be affected with a certain solution that can relieve some osteoarthritis symptoms.

Common injections are:

• Corticosteroid Injections
• Vicosupplementation

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Injections.

Long popular in Japan, magnet therapy has entered public awareness in the United States.

Read more about Osteoarthritis and Electromagnetic Field Therapy.